Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Work was completed in respect of the decentralisation of both departmental and Road Safety Authority staff in July 2007. The decentralisation of 50 staff to Loughrea was among the priority moves in the Government's programme. Decentralisation to Ballina of an additional 62 Road Safety Authority posts — which were not part of the original Government decision — was also achieved.

My Department met the Decentralisation Implementation Group on 15 April 2008. Representatives from each of the agencies under the Department's aegis were also in attendance. Discussions took place on how best to progress decentralisation to Drogheda, as well as the various issues facing the agencies and their decentralisation programmes. The transfer of at least 37 posts to Drogheda is being actively considered by my Department. The immediate priority is to finalise a suitable location and the construction of a premises. This work is being undertaken by the Office of Public Works.

The decentralisation of the National Roads Authority and Railway Safety Commission to Ballinasloe, of Bus Éireann to Mitchelstown, and of the Irish Aviation Authority to Shannon was not originally identified as a priority. However, progress is now being made on this element of the programme.

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